Chapter Text
It has been 4 years since Allura's passing and somehow, for Lance, it felt like it had only been 3 years ago.
He woke up that morning and stared at the blue sky for a long minute before remembering he was on Earth and he had to help in the farm. He walked to the bathroom, his eyes half open and washed his face to wake up.
When Lance looked up to his own reflection in the mirror, he was caught by surprise when he saw the Altean markings in his cheeks. When was the last time he had actually looked at them? He couldn't really recall.
Lace took a closer look, stared hard, poked at it and smiled at himself thinking how strange and silly it was that the markings seemed so unfamiliar to him now after so much had happened.
He went to the plantation, the sun shining bright as he tended the soil with his mother not far from him. Soon enough it would be Allura's memorial day and Lance could finally say he was ok. He still missed her from time to time, but the pain had finally subsided.
He laughed to himself when he remembered the first time he had to talk about Allura to everyone. He had cried so hard and couldn't stop so Shiro took his place to finish his speech while Hunk and Pidge tried to console him. It was only the next year that he had been able to say everything he wanted and only cry at the very end of his speech; talking about her every so often, telling her stories to the children helped him cope.
-Lance! Can you help me with the carrots? -his mom shouted.
-Coming! -he replied.
Having Shiro and Pidge on Earth, and his family by his side, helped even more than he cared admit. And celebrating Allura's memory every year, with everyone, set his heart at ease with each passing day. Recalling the stories they shared, the good and the bad, sharing what they had been doing for that year was more that enough to keep Lance and the others happy.
-Wow. Look at these. -Lance said plunking one out.
-I can't wait to take this to the market. They will sell very quickly looking like this. -she replied with a smile.
-Can I take some back home? I want to try cooking something. -Lance asked placing the carrots on a basket.
-You? Cooking? -she replied in mocking tone.
-Hey! I can cook. -Lance said with a smug. -Besides, I want to try a recipe I found recently.
Lance, his mom and his sister, Veronica, went to deliver the vegetables and fruits to the market on a very old fashioned pick up truck; Lance sitting on the back with everything, enjoying the sun and the wind of the trip. It was small moments like this that he enjoyed the most.
They arrived at the market that was already full of people and alteans coming back and forth, with baskets and shopping bags and even a few trucks unloading cargo. Lance and Veronica were carrying the craters of fruits to a few stands for a while now, so Veronica decided to take a break with their mom and buy a few things themselves, leaving Lance to just sit there and relax by the car.
He had his eyes closed, his face turned up to the sky, just taking everything in, not really concentrating on anything in particular. Until his moment of peace was interrupted when something blocked the light.
-Hey there sharp shooter.
-Keith? -Lance said opening one his eyes. -No way!
Keith offered a hand, helping Lance to get up and hugged him.
-What are you doing here? -he asked excited with a smile.
-I just came back from our last mission. -Keith pointed to his back, the Blade of Marmora's ship in the back. -We ended up finishing earlier than we thought so we figure, why not come back early?
-How long you staying? -he asked.
-That's the good news. Apparently, we won't be going anywhere for the next 2 months. -Keith replied. -It will be the longest break we will have since everything happened. The longest we had last time was 2 weeks. It's practically a vacation now.
-laughs- And at perfect timing too. Next week is Allura's memorial day. Now you can really relax. -Lance smiled.
-Yeah... -he glances at Lance carefully. -So... How are you? With... You know.
-What? Oh! -chuckles- Dude! I'm ok! I mean- I still miss her and everything, but I'm better now. Don't worry about it. -Lance elbowed him lightly.
-If you say so. -he smirked. -Listen I-
-Keith!? -Veronica said from afar. -Is that you?
-Hey Veronica. -he waved.
-Oh my God! -she came running and gave him a hug. -It's so good to see you. When did you come back?
-Today. We got back early. -Keith replied without much detail.
-I can see that. -Veronica smiled with her hands in her hips. -Is Krolia and Axca with you?
-They are probably still back at the ship. -Keith pointed at his back. -They don't like to go around much.
-I'll go talk to them. -Veronica warned running off.
-Hey, since you guys have such a long break, why don't you take your mom around? You know? Show her all the cool and weird stuff she didn't get to see from last time she was on Earth. -Lance suggested with amusement. -It would be a nice way for the two of you to spend some time together.
-Lance. We are ALWAYS together because of the work we do with the Blades. -Keith stared at him sharply.
-Yeah, but it's like you said. You're ALWAYS working! -Lance replied. -Try to relax, real quality time. Have fun. Or have you already forgotten what that is like.
-Very funny farm boy. -he said sarcastically.
-Hey Lance! We are leaving. -Veronica shouted running back to the car.
-We were just waiting for you! -he screams back, receiving a tongue from her in response once she reached the pick up. -I'll see you later yeah?
-Sure. I... Kinda wanted to talk to you anyways. -Keith said a little bashful.
-? Sure. -he climbs on the back of the truck.
-Hey! I invited you and your mom to have dinner with us, so you better not miss it! -Veronica screamed with her head out of the window.
-chuckles- You got it! -Keith replied waving at them.
-Bye Mullet!! -Lance screamed with a huge smile.
When they got back to the farm, Lance took a bath and started cooking with his mom at his side, reading the recipe and working together to finish dinner before everyone got back.
When Keith arrived with his mom, he had brought a small bouquet and a bottle of soda so everyone on the table could drink. Everyone laughed and thanked the bottle, it had been a first for that kind of thing.
Dining together had been a blast, everyone was enjoying the food, which made Lance extremely proud of himself and chatting with everyone about many small random things brought more warmth and comfort to the house.
When they finished, Keith had went out to take Cosmo for a walk for a while. Lance finished washing the dishes and decided to look for the mullet. He had found Keith sitting not very far from the house, under a tree, Cosmo running and rolling around in a field of flowers.
-Hey man. -Lance announced his presence and sat down beside him.
-Hey.
-You ok? -he risked asking.
-sigh- Yeah. I'm ok. Just lost in thought I guess. -Keith replied staring at the horizon. -What about you? You really ok?
-Yeah man. It's... Easier now. Thinking of her... Got easier. I think I'm ready, you know? -he trailed off. -I'll never really forget her or anything, but... I feel much at ease now.
-Are you going to try to find someone else now? -Keith risked.
-I... I'm not sure. -he replied honestly looking at the sky. -I don't want to replace her, you know?
-Lance. You're not replacing her. You're just moving on. It's been 4 years already.-Keith said staring at him.- She would want you to be happy. All of us do. You have to remember you're not the only one missing her. I know you loved her and everything, but she'll never be forgotten. And you telling her story and relaying her message to everyone made sure that every species in every galaxy will remember her for many years to come.
-sighs- I know, you're right. -he smiles. -Thanks Keith.
-That's why I'm here for, isn't it? -Keith smiled leaning back.
-laughs- To give me a pep talk? No way. It kinda surprised me that I actually wanted to spend some time with you. This kinda of thing happening would never cross my mind before. -Lance smiled remembering. -If it was before, I would actually be extremely mad at Veronica for just inviting you for dinner. But today, I was actually mad she got to invite you before I did.
-laughs out loud. -What? Are you a child?
Lance stared at Keith laughing for a moment, feeling something in his stomach, smiling. He never saw Keith laughing like that before, not that he remembered it at least. And to know he had been the one to make him laugh like that filled him with happiness.
-It's nice to see you haven't changed much even after all this time. -he smiled.
-I wish I could say the same, but your mullet is way to long now. -Lance joked.
-I've been postponing to cut it for a while now, so I kinda got used to it. -Keith touched the tip of his hair.
-Me too. -Lance murmured,blushing.
-Lance?
-What?
Suddenly there was a faint blue glow coming from his cheeks, Keith was staring at him, just as surprised as Lance was.
-What the hell!? -Lance got up and the glow faded away slowly.
-Lance. Are you ok? -Keith said worried. -Do you feel anything?
-I... I'm ok. I actually feel lighter. -he confessed. -Am I supposed to feel like this?
-I don't know. Whenever Allura used her Altean magic, she always felt completely drained afterwards. -Keith remembered. -Maybe it's different for you? Did this happen before?
-No. Not that I know of at least. Or maybe it happened while I was sleeping? -Lance replied rapidly. -It can't be. -he stopped in mid thought. -Nonononononononono. Stopstopstopstopstop. Stop it!-he started mumbling.
-Lance? -Keith called worried.
Lance kept mumbling, his breath became short and uneven as thoughts ran wild in his head. The world started to spin around him, no sound reached his ears, his heart beating fast, cold sweat running down his face, his vision turning blurry like he was about to pass out.
-It can't be.It's been 4 years.It's not her. ShesgoneShesgoneShesgone. -Lance mumbled rapidly panicking.
-Lance!? Lance!! -Keith held him by his shoulders. -Lance! Look at me!! I'm right here!
At first, Keith's voice reached him like an echo in the distance, his vision was still blurry, but he could still see the outline of something red and feel the pressure and warmth of Keith's hands on his shoulders.
-Lance! Listen to me!! Breath! You have to breath! -Lance started to see Keith in front of him. -That's it! Slowly.
As his vision started coming back to him, Lance followed Keith's instruction, slowly calming down as he focused on the paladin in front of him and finally fell to his knees with Keith coming down with him.
-There you go. -Keith said relived. -It's okay.
-NO, IT'S NOT! -Lance pushed Keith's hands off of him. -I thought I was finally okay! I thought I could finally let her rest in peace without wishing- Hoping she was here!! -he punched the ground with tears in his eyes.
-Hey, it's not your fault. If I was you... I think I would end up hoping for it too, even after so long. -Keith placed a hand on his shoulder. -But we all know how big was her sacrifice so all the dimensions could be saved.
-Yeah... Sorry. -he replied in a low voice.
-It's okay. -Keith smiled sympathetically. -You know you can talk to me about anything, right?
-scoff out a laugh, softly, with a half smile- Yeah.
-And not just me. Your family, Hunk and the others; we are all here for you. -he said determined.
-Okay, okay I get it. -Lance gives him a soft push. -Stop being so emotional about it already. It's not like you at all.
-Shut it, dumbass. -he smiled. -... Are you going to tell someone about the glow?
-sighs- I don't know. Probably Coran? -Lance replied unsure. -I really don't want to worry anyone, but on the other hand...
-You want to know what happened. -Keith finished the thought.
-Yeah... -he looked at Keith. -Hey. How did you know how to help me? I don't even know what was happening to me.
-It was a panic attack. I saw it happening once to someone and how they were helped so... -Keith frowning. -Has this... Was this the first time it happened?
-Yeah. I mean- I woke up a few times feeling something similar 2 years ago, but that was it. -Lance explained the best he could. -I was still pretty deep in grief at the time, but I'm pretty sure it was because of the dreams I had.
-You don't have to explain anything to me Lance. I get it. -Keith stared at him with concern. -Just... Talk to someone- Anyone, if it get's worse, ok?
Lance glance around, not really sure what else to say and spotted Cosmo on the horizon, sitting, watching them from afar with his ears perked up. Lance could tell the wolf had noticed what had happened with them just moments ago, but didn't dare to come close. He was a smart cosmic wolf.
-smile-Have to remind to give him some kind of reward for this later. -Lance thought to himself as he got up. -We should probably had back now.
-Sure. -he faces the other way getting up. -Cosmo! Come on, we are heading back!
-And... Keith? -Lance walked slowly.
-Yeah? -he replied a few steps back.
-Can you keep what happened a secret from everyone? -Lance asked not being able to look him in the eyes.
-Don't worry. I wasn't planning to. -Keith placed a hand on Lance's shoulder. -You tell them when you're ready.
-Yeah. -the smile he had didn't reach his eyes. -Hey, Keith. Do you still use your old communicator?
-Yeah. Why do you ask? -Keith raised an eyebrow.
-I told you, didn't I? I actually feel like hanging out with you these days. -Lance looked back and smiled. -Next time I'll be sure to invite you before my sister does.
-scoffs a laugh- You're such a child.
They headed back to Lance's house, throwing random old nicknames at each other while remembering how bad their relationship was on the beginning, laughing at all the stupid fights they used to have and glad that things had changed between them.